Folding table



(No Model.)

J. T. BON.

FOLDING TABLE.

No. 386,450. Patented July 24, 1888.

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JOHN T. DON, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

FOLDING TABLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 386,450, dated July24,1888.

Application filed March 27, ISSS. Serial N0.2GS,G51.

T0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN T. BoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Syracuse, in the county of ()nondaga and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables; andI do declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description ofthe invention, such as will en able others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved folding table. Fig. 2 is anend view of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view showing the legsfolded up against the under side of the table, and Fig. 4 is a detailside View of one of the folding legs with a portion thereof broken awayto more clearly illustrate the manner of securing the rotating rodthereto.

Similar letters of reference denote corre sponding parts in the severalviews.

My invention has relation to folding tables which are more especiallyadapted for the use of seamstresses; and it has for its object toprovide a light but durable table which, when not in use, may be foldedin such a manner as to occupy but a small space.

To this end my invention consists in the improved construction andcombination of parts of the same, as will be hereinafter more fully setforth.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A denotes the top of the table,to the under side of which and near the ends thereof are rigidly securedthe cross-pieces B, to the inner sides of which are hinged the legs D,two at each end of the table-top.

Secured to the outer edges of the upper portions of these legs are twoboards, E, which project with their upper edges beyond the upper ends ofthe legs. XVhen the table is in use, these boards bear with their upperedges against the under side of the table-top, and bear with their-innersides or faces against the outer sides or faces of the cross-pieces B,the object of which construction will be presently set forth. Each setof the legs D are formed near their upper ends with deep re- (No model.)

cesscs or sockets F, (shown more clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings,) andin which are secured the ends of the connecting-rods G by means of thescrews H entering the said sockets from the opposite sides of the legsand screwing into the ends of the rods, thus enabling the same to rotatein their bearings.

Rigidly secured to the intermediate portions of these rods are braces I,formed at their free ends with longitudinal closed slots J.

K denotes a bracket secured to the under side of the table-top, andthrough which is formed a transverse aperture, L, which registers withthe slots in the ends of the braces, which are atcaeh side of thebracket. Through the aperture of the bracket and the slots of the bracespasses a bolt, M, and upon its threaded end is screwed a wing ortighteningnut, N, for clamping the parts together. A washer, O, isplaced upon the belt at that end having the tightening-nut and preventsthe said nuts working directly against the brace, which of course wouldmar it.

Vhen the legs are swung out to assume a vertical position, the upperedges and the inner sides of the boards E contact, respectively, withthe under side of the table-top and with the outer sides of thecross-pieces B, thus preventing the legs being swung too farout, andalso preventing undue strain upon the hinges. The tighteningnnt is nowscrewed home, thus clamping the slotted ends of the braces firmly to thebracket. While in this position it will be seen that the legs are firmlyheld in place by the braces. Now, when it is desired to fold the legsbeneath the table, as shown in Fig. 3, the tightening-nut is loosenedand the legs swung under, causing the rods to rotate in the sockets orrecesses of the legs and the slotted ends of the braces to slide uponthe bolt. After the legs have been folded beneath the under side of thetabletop, they are socurely clamped and held in place by tightening thewing-nut, as above described; and it will be seen that while in thisposition it will occupy but a small space, and will consequently be'outof the way when placed against the wall or in a corner ofa room.

In folding tables heretofore constructed it has been necessary to removea locking-pin in order to fold the table and to reinsert it to securethe parts in their folded position, and, further, these tables have hadtheir braces, which retain the legs in either a folded or unfoldedposition, loosely secured to the crosspieces of the legs by means ofstraps, which are objectionable, inasmuch as they will slide upon saidcross-pieces and cause the other ends of the braces to bind againstthebrackets under the table-top, to which they are secured, and the strapswill also become worn and drop off the cross-pieces. When it is desiredto fold or unfold my table, it is only necessary to loosen the thumb-nutN, and then to tighten it, whereby the legs are then secured inposition, as hereinbefore set forth.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the object and advantages of my invention will bereadily understood without requiring any extended explanation. It willbe seen that it is simple in construction, it being composed of but fewparts, and that it can be inanufactured and placed upon the market atsuch a low figure as to bring it within the reach of all classes.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent of the United States- 1. In a folding table, thecombination, with the top provided with the apertured bracket upon itsunder side, and with the two sets of hinged legs formed near their upperends with transverse recesses or sockets, and rotating rods jonrnaled insaid recesses or sockets, of braces rigidly secured at their'outer endsto the said rods and formed at their opposite ends with longitudinalclosed slots which register with the aperture of the-bracket, a threadedbolt inserted through the slots of the braces and the aperture of thebracket, and a tightening-nut, all arranged to operate in the manner setforth.

2. In a folding table, the combination, with the top having thecrosspieces secu red to its under side near its ends, legs hinged to theinner sides of these cross-pieces and provided near their upper endswith boards, the upper portions of which project above the ends of saidlegs and contact with the under side of the top of the table and withthe outer sides of the cross-pieces, of rotating rods j ournaled in saidlegs, and braces rigidly secured to said rods at their outer ends andadjustably secured at their inner ends to the under side of thetable-top, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN T. BON.

Witnesses:

CHAS. F. MOFALL, HENRY LACY.

